Facilitation of mobility management across various radio technologies

ABSTRACT

A more efficient network can be achieved using software-defined networking to configure routing tables to route data traffic to and from proper cells. User equipment address data and network device internet protocol address data can be utilized to define locators specific to a user equipment device in relation to various network devices. For instance, broadcasted network address data representative of a mobile device identifier address can be received by a first network device from the mobile device, wherein the mobile device identifier address comprises network address data related to an internet protocol address of a second network device, the first network device can determine a third network device capable of a communication with the mobile device, and the communication with the mobile device can be routed by the first network device to the third network device.

RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is a continuation of, and claims priority to,U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/500,518 (now U.S. Pat. No.9,826,436), filed Sep. 29, 2014, and entitled “FACILITATION OF MOBILITYMANAGEMENT ACROSS VARIOUS RADIO TECHNOLOGIES,” the entirety of whichapplication is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to facilitating seamless handoff ofcommunication between mobile devices and network devices.

BACKGROUND

Software-defined networking (SDN) and a standard basedidentifier/locator network protocol (ILNP) can be used to simplifymobility management. SDN is an approach to computer networking thatallows network administrators to manage network services throughabstraction of lower level functionality. This can be accomplished bydecoupling the system that makes decisions about where traffic is sent(the control plane) from the underlying systems that forward the trafficto the selected destination (the data plane). ILNP is a network protocoldesigned to separate the two functions of network addresses, theidentification of network endpoints, and assisting routing by separatingtopological information from node identity information. ILNP is alsobackwards-compatible with existing internet protocol (IP), and isincrementally-deployable.

SDN and standard based ILNP can be used instead of general packet radioservice (GPRS) tunneling protocols (GTP) across radio access networks(RAN) and various types of gateways for different radio accesstechnologies. GTP is a group of IP-based communications protocols usedto carry general packet radio service (GPRS) within a global system formobile communications (GSM), universal mobile telecommunications system(UMTS) and long term evolution (LTE) networks.

The above-described background relating to a mobility managementmechanisms is merely intended to provide a contextual overview of somecurrent issues, and is not intended to be exhaustive. Other contextualinformation may become further apparent upon review of the followingdetailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the subject disclosureare described with reference to the following figures, wherein likereference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various viewsunless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless network comprising an SDN and multipleuser equipment according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a wireless network performing an intra-cellularhandoff according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates a wireless network performing a Wi-Fi to cellularhandoff according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates a wireless network performing cellular to Wi-Fihandoff according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic system block diagram of a communicationhandoff between two network devices and the user equipment according toone or more embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic system block diagram of a communicationhandoff between two network devices and user equipment while updatingthe user equipment location data according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic system block diagram for a communicationhandoff between two network devices and the user equipment, determininga condition related to the handoff, and terminating communication withone of the network devices according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic system block diagram for a communicationhandoff between two network devices and the user equipment, determininga condition related to the handoff, terminating communication with oneof the network devices, and facilitating communication with the othernetwork device based on the condition being satisfied according to oneor more embodiments.

FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic system block diagram for receivingbroadcasted network address data related to network devices andinitiating a communication with a network device based on acommunication handoff condition being satisfied according to one or moreembodiments.

FIG. 10 illustrates a schematic system block diagram for receivingbroadcasted network address data related to network devices andinitiating a communication with a network device and terminating acommunication with another network device based on a communicationhandoff condition being satisfied according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 11 illustrates a block diagram of an example mobile handsetoperable to engage in a system architecture that facilitates securewireless communication according to one or more embodiments describedherein.

FIG. 12 illustrates a block diagram of an example computer operable toengage in a system architecture that facilitates secure wirelesscommunication according to one or more embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth toprovide a thorough understanding of various embodiments. One skilled inthe relevant art will recognize, however, that the techniques describedherein can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, orwith other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances,well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown ordescribed in detail to avoid obscuring certain aspects.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” or “anembodiment,” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrase “in oneembodiment,” “in one aspect,” or “in an embodiment,” in various placesthroughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to thesame embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, orcharacteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments.

As utilized herein, terms “component,” “system,” “interface,” and thelike are intended to refer to a computer-related entity, hardware,software (e.g., in execution), and/or firmware. For example, a componentcan be a processor, a process running on a processor, an object, anexecutable, a program, a storage device, and/or a computer. By way ofillustration, an application running on a server and the server can be acomponent. One or more components can reside within a process, and acomponent can be localized on one computer and/or distributed betweentwo or more computers.

Further, these components can execute from various computer readablemedia having various data structures stored thereon. The components cancommunicate via local and/or remote processes such as in accordance witha signal having one or more data packets (e.g., data from one componentinteracting with another component in a local system, distributedsystem, and/or across a network, e.g., the Internet, a local areanetwork, a wide area network, etc. with other systems via the signal).

As another example, a component can be an apparatus with specificfunctionality provided by mechanical parts operated by electric orelectronic circuitry; the electric or electronic circuitry can beoperated by a software application or a firmware application executed byone or more processors; the one or more processors can be internal orexternal to the apparatus and can execute at least a part of thesoftware or firmware application. As yet another example, a componentcan be an apparatus that provides specific functionality throughelectronic components without mechanical parts; the electroniccomponents can include one or more processors therein to executesoftware and/or firmware that confer(s), at least in part, thefunctionality of the electronic components. In an aspect, a componentcan emulate an electronic component via a virtual machine, e.g., withina cloud computing system.

The words “exemplary” and/or “demonstrative” are used herein to meanserving as an example, instance, or illustration. For the avoidance ofdoubt, the subject matter disclosed herein is not limited by suchexamples. In addition, any aspect or design described herein as“exemplary” and/or “demonstrative” is not necessarily to be construed aspreferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs, nor is it meantto preclude equivalent exemplary structures and techniques known tothose of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, to the extent that theterms “includes,” “has,” “contains,” and other similar words are used ineither the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intendedto be inclusive—in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as an opentransition word—without precluding any additional or other elements.

As used herein, the term “infer” or “inference” refers generally to theprocess of reasoning about, or inferring states of, the system,environment, user, and/or intent from a set of observations as capturedvia events and/or data. Captured data and events can include user data,device data, environment data, data from sensors, sensor data,application data, implicit data, explicit data, etc. Inference can beemployed to identify a specific context or action, or can generate aprobability distribution over states of interest based on aconsideration of data and events, for example.

Inference can also refer to techniques employed for composinghigher-level events from a set of events and/or data. Such inferenceresults in the construction of new events or actions from a set ofobserved events and/or stored event data, whether the events arecorrelated in close temporal proximity, and whether the events and datacome from one or several event and data sources. Various classificationschemes and/or systems (e.g., support vector machines, neural networks,expert systems, Bayesian belief networks, fuzzy logic, and data fusionengines) can be employed in connection with performing automatic and/orinferred action in connection with the disclosed subject matter.

In addition, the disclosed subject matter can be implemented as amethod, apparatus, or article of manufacture using standard programmingand/or engineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware,or any combination thereof to control a computer to implement thedisclosed subject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as usedherein is intended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable device, computer-readable carrier, orcomputer-readable media. For example, computer-readable media caninclude, but are not limited to, a magnetic storage device, e.g., harddisk; floppy disk; magnetic strip(s); an optical disk (e.g., compactdisk (CD), a digital video disc (DVD), a Blu-ray Disc™ (BD)); a smartcard; a flash memory device (e.g., card, stick, key drive); and/or avirtual device that emulates a storage device and/or any of the abovecomputer-readable media.

As an overview of the various embodiments presented herein, to correctfor the above-identified deficiencies and other drawbacks of traditionalcellular mobility management, various embodiments are described hereinto facilitate a seamless handoff of communication between mobile devicesand network devices.

For simplicity of explanation, the methods (or algorithms) are depictedand described as a series of acts. It is to be understood andappreciated that the various embodiments are not limited by the actsillustrated and/or by the order of acts. For example, acts can occur invarious orders and/or concurrently, and with other acts not presented ordescribed herein. Furthermore, not all illustrated acts may be requiredto implement the methods. In addition, the methods could alternativelybe represented as a series of interrelated states via a state diagram orevents. Additionally, the methods described hereafter are capable ofbeing stored on an article of manufacture (e.g., a computer readablestorage medium) to facilitate transporting and transferring suchmethodologies to computers. The term article of manufacture, as usedherein, is intended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable device, carrier, or media, including a non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium.

Described herein are systems, methods, articles of manufacture, andother embodiments or implementations that can facilitate handoff (HO) ofcommunication between mobile devices and network devices. Facilitatinguse of an SDN to manage a communications network can be implemented inconnection with any type of device with a connection to thecommunications network such as: a mobile handset, a computer, a handhelddevice, or the like.

Mobility management using SDN and ILNP protocol across various wirelesstechnologies (e.g. LTE, Wi-Fi, any future 5G access technologies) willbe necessary to keep up with the increase in mobile device traffic. Inaddition, the variation of different types of end points, the variationof applications, and the variation of mobility states of user equipment(UE) (whether a device is moving, and how fast) is growing. Cellularmobility management systems that treat all end points the same will nolonger be cost effective in a new paradigm with tens of billions ofmobile-to-mobile (M2M) end points.

An SDN-based mobility management mechanism using ILNP can enable commonmobility management across many wireless technologies. Network (Site)mobility comprising a whole site or one or more IP subnets may bemobile, moving across administrative boundaries or topologicalboundaries within an IP-based network, or moving across the internet.The site as a whole needs to maintain consistency in connectivity. ILNPcan deal with mobile networks similarly to site multi-homing where themanagement of site mobility is delegated to each host in the site (sothe hosts need to be ILNP-capable).

Leveraging SDN, decoupling the control plane from the data forwardingplane, and using standard based ILNP can simplify the mobilitymanagement process and also minimize states maintained in the networkbased on UE types. The SDN can relay according to an openflowcommunications protocol to give access to the forwarding plane of anetwork switch/router over the network. This can allow service providersto manage network services through abstraction of lower levelfunctionality. The aforementioned system can reduce the cost of networkequipment, UE, and improve upgradability due to a software drivenapproach. Furthermore, SDN-based mobility management can reduce UEcomplexity and improve UE battery life by using a simple IP instead ofusing special purpose tunnels/bearers.

An SDN mobility management system can comprise UE, network devices (suchas cellular towers/cells and/or Wi-Fi access points), and SDNs. Thecells and Wi-Fi access points can be controlled by an SDN controller.Different cells and Wi-Fi access points can all have different IPprefixes (i.e.: 1.1., 1.2., 3.0.). In one scenario intra-cellular HO canoccur when the UE is moving away from one cell and towards another cell.In another scenario, cellular to access point HO can occur when the UEis moving away from the cell and towards a Wi-Fi access point. In anadditional scenario, Wi-Fi to cellular HO can occur when the UE ismoving away from the Wi-Fi access point towards the cell. To communicatewith the UE, the cells and the Wi-Fi access points can broadcast theirIP prefixes (locator address) to the UE. The communications protocoladdress can be either an IPv6 address or an IPv4 address. Other IP-basedmobility protocols such as multi-path transmission control protocol canalso leverage this process.

A network device can broadcast one or more locator addresses and a UEcan receive the one or more locator addresses from the network deviceand append its own UE identifier address (e.g. lower 64 bits) to formone or multiple IP addresses. Although the UE identifier stays the same,the locator addresses will change as the UE moves through the network.The number of formed IP address can depend on the number of receivedprefixes from cells or access point devices. Distributed SDN controllersassociated with the network devices can perform mobility managementfunctions including, hut not limited to, the following functions:initiating a soft HO option, dynamically configuring a switching/routingtable, and/or maintaining a forwarding table.

The UE can initiate two types of HO options as soon as HO thresholds aremet: an immediate HO or a soft HO. During an immediate HO the UE sends alocator update message to corresponding nodes (CN) (i.e.: website,mobile device, etc.), immediately stops using a locator address for aserving node (i.e.: cellular tower, Wi-Fi access point, etc.), andswitches to using another locator address for a target node only. The CNis the receiver of communication from the UE. During the soft HO option,the UE can send a locator update message to a CN and send the locatorupdate to a domain name system (DNS) server after the HO. The UE can usethe locator address for the serving node and the other locator addressfor the target node until: 1) it no longer receives incoming packetswith the locator address for the serving node after a certain time;and/or 2) it no longer hears a receiving address (RA), comprisinglocator address data, for the serving node from the source networkdevice.

The SDN controller associated with respective networking devices canconfigure switching/routing tables of the switch/router component inorder to route data traffic to/from the proper network devicescorresponding to the locator address for the serving node and thelocator address for the target node. The SDN controller can alsomaintain a UE information table. Maintenance of the UE information tablecan include, but is not limited to: adding UE data, removing UE data,updating UE data, updating UE location data, updating a mobility status,updating candidate IP addresses associated with current or past servingnetwork devices, and/or updating active IP addresses. The mobilitystatus can be representative of how fast a UE device is moving relativeto the network devices. For instance, the UE device can be static,moving at pedestrian speed, or the speed of a vehicle, etc. In the casethat multiple connectivity (e.g. dual connectivity's, Wi-Fi/cellularintegration inter-system routing policy (ISRP), MP-TCP, etc.) is desiredfor the UE, there can be multiple active IP addresses.

In one embodiment, described herein is a method comprising receivingbroadcasted network address data of a mobile device identifier addresscomprising network address data related to an IP address of anothernetwork device. A first network device can then determine a thirdnetwork device for routing communication and route communication fromthe mobile device to the third network device.

According to another embodiment, a system can facilitate, the receivingmobile device broadcasted network address data comprising IP networkaddress data of another network device, and receiving IP address datarelated to a third network device. The system can also facilitate thedetermining of a condition related to a HO between the mobile device andthe third network device. Furthermore, the system can facilitate theterminating of communication between the other network device inresponse to a condition being satisfied.

According to yet another embodiment, described herein is a computerreadable medium that can perform the operations comprising receivingmobile device broadcasted network address data comprising IP networkaddress data of another network device, and receiving IP address datarelated to a third network device. The computer readable medium can alsofacilitate the generating of a HO condition related to a range betweenthe mobile device and network devices. Additionally, the computerreadable medium can perform the operations comprising initiating anothercommunication between the other network device and the mobile device inresponse to the HO condition being satisfied.

These and other embodiments or implementations are described in moredetail below with reference to the drawings.

Referring now to FIG. 1, illustrated is wireless network comprising anSDN and UE devices. UE devices 110, 112, 114 can include, but are notlimited to, a meter reader, a mobile device, a tablet, etc. UE devices110, 112, 114 can also be stationary or mobile and require mobility HO.In a cellular network, multiple network devices can exist including, butnot limited to, cellular towers 100, 102, 104 and Wi-Fi access points106 that can communicate with the UE devices 110, 112, 114.

Identification data can be sent from the cellular towers 100, 102, 104and the Wi-Fi access point devices 106 to the UE devices 110, 112, 114.This identification data can include various IP prefixes correspondingto each cellular tower 100, 102, 104 and/or Wi-Fi the access pointdevice 106. For instance, as indicated by FIG. 1, the cellular tower 100can send a prefix 1.1, the cellular tower 102 can send a prefix 1.2, andthe Wi-Fi access point device 106 can send a prefix 3.0. After thecellular towers or Wi-Fi access points have sent their respectiveidentification data to the UE device, the UE device can then append itsown UE identifier address and create one or more new identifieraddresses associated with each cellular tower or Wi-Fi access point forwhich it received identification data.

The new identifier address can then be forwarded to the SDN 108 forconfiguration of a forwarding table. Each SDN can be associated with anetwork device or a set of network devices. The SDN can facilitatesession continuity by performing an immediate 140 or soft HO between onenetwork device and another network device. During the soft HO, the UEdevice 110, 112, 114 can have multiple IP addresses (locators), whichcan be sent to CNs.

Referring now to FIG. 2, illustrated is a wireless network performing anintra-cellular HO. A UE device 210 can include, but is not limited to, ameter reader, a mobile device, a tablet, etc. UE devices 210 can also bestationary or mobile and require mobility HO. In a cellular network,multiple network devices can exist including, but not limited to,cellular towers 200, 202, 204 and Wi-Fi access points 206 that cancommunicate with the UE devices 210.

Identification data can be sent, from cellular towers 200, 202, 204 andthe Wi-Fi access points 206 to the UE devices 210. This identificationdata can include various IP prefixes corresponding to each cellulartower 200, 202, 204 and the Wi-Fi access point device 206. For instance,as indicated by FIG. 2, the cellular tower 200 can send a prefix 1.1,the cellular tower 202 can send a prefix 1.2, and the Wi-Fi device 206can send a prefix 3.0. After the cellular towers or Wi-Fi access pointdevices have sent their respective identification data to the UE device210, the UE device 210 can then append its own UE identifier address andcreate one or more new identifier addresses associated with eachcellular tower 200, 202, 204 and/or Wi-Fi access point 206 for which itreceived identification data.

The new identifier address can then be forwarded to the SDN 208 forconfiguration of a forwarding table. Each SDN 208 can be associated witha network device or a set of network devices. The SDN 208 can facilitatesession continuity by performing an immediate HO or soft HO between onenetwork device and another network device. During the soft HO, the UEdevice 210 can have multiple IP addresses (locators), which can be sentto CNs.

For example, FIG. 2 represents an intra-cellular HO for mobilitymanagement. Initially, the EU device 210 is closer to the cellular tower200 and can receive prefix data comprising 1.1 from the cellular tower200. The EU device 210 can append its identifier data to the prefix 1.1and send this information to the SDN 208. As the UE device 210 movescloser to the cellular tower 202 and farther from the cellular tower200, the UE device 210 can also receive identification data from thecellular tower 202 comprising the prefix 1.2. The EU device 210 canappend its identifier data to the prefix 1.2 and send this informationto the SDN 208.

The SDN 208 can then perform an immediate HO where the SDN 208 promptsthe UE device 210 to immediately stop communicating with the cellulartower 200, and the SDN 208 prompts the UE device 210 to continuecommunicating with cellular tower 202. Or the SDN 208 can perform a softHO where the UE device 210 utilizes the cellular tower 200 and thecellular tower 202 until the UE device 210 no longer receives packetdata from the cellular tower 200 after a certain time and/or the UEdevice 210 no longer hears a receiving address from the cellular tower200.

Referring now to FIG. 3, illustrated is wireless network performing a tocellular HO. A UE device 310 can include, but is not limited to, a meterreader, a mobile device, a tablet, etc. UE devices 310 can also bestationary or mobile and require mobility HO. In a cellular network,multiple network devices can exist including, but not limited to,cellular towers 300, 302, 304 and Wi-Fi access point device 306 that cancommunicate with the UE devices 310.

Identification data can be sent from the cellular towers 300, 302, 304and Wi-Fi access points 306 to the UE devices 310. This identificationdata can include various IP prefixes corresponding to each cellulartower 300, 302, 304 and/or Wi-Fi access point device 306. For instance,as indicated by FIG. 3, the cellular tower 300 can send the prefix 1.1,the cellular tower 302 can send the prefix 1.2, and the Wi-Fi accesspoint device 306 can send the prefix 3.0. After the cellular towers orWi-Fi access point devices have sent their respective identificationdata to the UE device 310, the UE device 310 can then append its own UEidentifier address and create one or more new identifier addressesassociated with each cellular tower 300, 302, 304 and/or Wi-Fi accesspoint device 306 for which it received identification data.

The new identifier address can then be forwarded to the SDN 308 forconfiguration of a forwarding table. Each SDN 308 can be associated witha network device or a set of network devices. The SDN 308 can facilitatesession continuity by performing an immediate HO or soft HO between onenetwork device and another network device. During the soft HO, the UEdevice 310 can have multiple IP addresses (locators), which can be sentto CNs.

For example, FIG. 3 represents a Wi-Fi to cellular HO for mobilitymanagement. Initially, the EU device 310 is closer to the Wi-Fi accesspoint device 306 and can receive prefix data comprising 3.0 from theWi-Fi access point device 306. The EU device 310 can append itsidentifier data to the prefix 3.0 and send this information to the SDN308. As the UE device 310 moves closer to the cellular tower 300 andfarther from the Wi-Fi access point device 306, the UE device 310 willalso receive identification data from the cellular tower 300 comprisingthe prefix 1.1. The EU device 310 can append its identifier data to theprefix 1.1 and send this information to the SDN 308.

The SDN 308 can then perform an immediate HO where the SDN 308 promptsthe UE device 310 to immediately stop communicating with the Wi-Fiaccess point device 306, and the SDN 308 prompts the UE device 310 tocontinue communicating with the cellular tower 300. Or the SDN 308 canperform a soft HO where the UE device 310 utilizes the Wi-Fi accesspoint 306 and the cellular tower 300 until the UE device 310 no longerreceives packet data from the Wi-Fi access point device 306 after acertain time and/or the UE device 310 no longer hears a receivingaddress from the Wi-Fi access point device 306.

Referring now to FIG. 4, illustrated is a wireless network performingcellular to Wi-Fi HO. A UE device 410 can include, but is not limitedto, a meter reader, a mobile device, a tablet, etc. UE devices 410 canalso be stationary or mobile and require mobility HO. In a cellularnetwork, multiple network devices can exist including, but not limitedto, cellular towers 400, 402, 404 and Wi-Fi access points 406 that cancommunicate with the UE device 410.

Identification data can be sent from cellular towers 400, 402, 404 andWi-Fi access point devices 406 to the UE device 410. This identificationdata can include various IP prefixes corresponding to each cellulartower 400, 402, 404 and Wi-Fi access point device 406. For instance, asindicated by FIG. 4, the cellular tower 400 can send a prefix 1.1, thecellular tower 402 can send a prefix 1.2, and the Wi-Fi access point 406can send a prefix 3.0. After the cellular towers 400, 402, 404 or Wi-Fiaccess points devices 406 have sent their respective identification datato the UE device 410, the UE device 410 can then append its own UPidentifier address and create one or more new identifier addressesassociated with each cellular tower 400, 402, 404 and/or Wi-Fi accesspoint device 406 for which it received identification data.

The new identifier address can then be forwarded to the SDN 308 forconfiguration of a forwarding table. Each SDN 408 can be associated witha network device or a set of network devices. The SDN 408 can facilitatesession continuity by performing an immediate HO or soft HO between onenetwork device and another network device. During the soft HO, UE device410 can have multiple IP addresses (locators), which can be sent to CNs.

For example, FIG. 4 represents a cellular to Wi-Fi HO for mobilitymanagement. Initially, the EU device 410 is closer to the cellular tower400 and can receive prefix data comprising 1.1 from the cellular tower400. The EU device 410 can append its identifier data to the prefix 1.1and send this information to the SDN 408. As the UE device 410 movescloser to the Wi-Fi access point device 406 and farther from thecellular tower 400, the UE device 410 can also receive identificationdata from the Wi-Fi access point device 406 comprising the prefix 3.0.The EU device 410 can append its identifier data to the prefix 3.0 andsend this information to the SDN 408.

The SDN 408 can then perform an immediate HO where the SDN 408 promptsthe UE device 410 to immediately stop communicating with the cellulartower 400, and the SDN 408 prompts the UE device 410 to continuecommunicating with the Wi-Fi access point device 406. Or the SDN 408 canperform a soft HO where the UE device 410 utilizes the Wi-Fi accesspoint device 406 and the cellular tower 400 until the UE device 410 nolonger receives packet data from the cellular tower 400 after a certaintime and/or the UE device 410 no longer hears a receiving address fromthe cellular tower 400.

Referring now to FIG. 5, illustrated is a schematic system block diagramof a communication HO between two network devices and the UE. A UEdevice can include, but is not limited to, a meter reader, a mobiledevice, a tablet, etc. UE devices can also be stationary or mobile andrequire mobility HO. In a cellular network, multiple network devices canexist including, but not limited to, cellular towers and Wi-Fi accesspoints that can communicate with the UE device.

Identification data can be sent from the cellular towers and the Wi-Fiaccess points to the UE devices. This identification data can includevarious IP prefixes corresponding to each cellular tower and Wi-Fiaccess point device. After the cellular towers or access points havesent their respective identification data to the UE device, the UEdevice can then append its own UE identifier address and create one ormore new identifier addresses associated with each cellular tower and/orWi-Fi access point for which it received identification data.

The new identifier address can then be forwarded to the SDN forconfiguration of a forwarding table. Each SDN can be associated with anetwork device or a set of network devices. The SDN can facilitatesession continuity by performing an immediate HO or soft HO between onenetwork device and another network device. During the soft HO, the UEdevice can have multiple IP addresses (locators), which can be sent toCNs.

At element 500, broadcasted network address data representative of amobile device identifier address can be received from a mobile device,wherein the mobile device identifier address can comprise networkaddress data related to an Internet protocol address of a second networkdevice. A third network device capable of a communication with themobile device can be determined at element 502. The first network devicecan route the communication with the mobile device to the third networkdevice at element 504.

Referring now to FIG. 6, illustrated is schematic system block diagramof a communication HO between two network devices and the UE whileupdating UE location data. A UE device can include, but is not limitedto, a meter reader, a mobile device, a tablet, etc. UE devices can alsobe stationary or mobile and require mobility HO. In a cellular network,multiple network devices can exist including, but not limited to,cellular towers and Wi-Fi access points that can communicate with the UEdevice.

Identification data can be sent from the cellular towers and the Wi-Fiaccess point devices to the UE devices. This identification data caninclude various IP prefixes corresponding to each cellular tower andWi-Fi access point device. After the cellular towers or Wi-Fi accesspoints have sent their respective identification data to the UE device,the UP device can then append its own UE identifier address and createone or more new identifier addresses associated with each cellular towerand/or Wi-Fi access point device for which it received identificationdata.

The new identifier address can then be forwarded to the SDN forconfiguration of a forwarding table. Each SDN can be associated with anetwork device or a set of network devices. The SDN can facilitatesession continuity by performing an immediate HO or soft HO between onenetwork device and another network device. During the soft HO, the UEdevice can have multiple IP addresses (locators), which can be sent toCNs.

At element 600, broadcasted network address data representative of amobile device identifier address can be received from a mobile device,wherein the mobile device identifier address can comprise networkaddress data related to an internet protocol address of a second networkdevice. A third network device capable of a communication with themobile device can be determined at element 602. The first network devicecan route the communication with the mobile device to the third networkdevice at element 604. At element 606, the first network device canupdate the location data representative of a location of the mobiledevice.

Referring now to FIG. 7, illustrated is a schematic system block diagramfor a communication HO between two network devices and the UE,determining a n condition related to the HO, and terminatingcommunication with one of the network devices. A UE device can include,but is not limited to, a meter reader, a mobile device, a tablet, etc.UE devices can also be stationary or mobile and require mobility HO. Ina cellular network, multiple network devices can exist including, butnot limited to, cellular towers and Wi-Fi access points that cancommunicate with the UE device.

Identification data can be sent, from the cellular towers and the Wi-Fiaccess point devices to the UE devices. This identification data caninclude various IP prefixes corresponding to each cellular tower andWi-Fi access point device. After the cellular towers or Wi-Fi accesspoints have sent their respective identification data to the UE device,the UE device can then append its own UE identifier address and createone or more new identifier addresses associated with each cellular towerand/or Wi-Fi access point device for which it received identificationdata.

The new identifier address can then be forwarded to the SDN forconfiguration of a forwarding table. Each SDN can be associated with anetwork device or a set of network devices. The SDN can facilitatesession continuity by performing an immediate HO or soft HO between onenetwork device and another network device. During the soft HO, the UEdevice can have multiple IP addresses (locators), which can be sent toCNs.

At element 700, the system can receive broadcasted network address datarepresentative of a mobile device identifier address from a mobiledevice, wherein the mobile device identifier address can comprisenetwork address data related to an internet protocol address of anetwork device. The system of element 700 can receive broadcastednetwork address data related to another internet protocol address ofanother network device at element 702 and can determine a conditionrelated to a handoff of a communication between the network device andthe mobile device at element 704. The system can also terminate thecommunication between the network device and the mobile device inresponse to the condition being determined to have been satisfied atelement 706.

Referring now to FIG. 8, illustrated is a schematic system block diagramfor a communication HO between two network devices and the UE,determining a condition related to the HO, and terminating communicationwith one of the network devices and facilitating communication with theother network device based on the condition being satisfied. A UE devicecan include, but is not limited to, a meter reader, a mobile device, atablet, etc. UE devices can also be stationary or mobile and requiremobility HO. In a cellular network, multiple network devices can existincluding, but not limited to, cellular towers and Wi-Fi access pointsthat can communicate with the UE device.

Identification data can be sent from the cellular towers and the accesspoint devices to the UE devices. This identification data can includevarious IP prefixes corresponding to each cellular tower and accesspoint device. After the cellular towers or Wi-Fi access points deviceshave sent their respective identification data to the UE device, the UEdevice can then append its own UE identifier address and create one ormore new identifier addresses associated with each cellular tower and/orWi-Fi access point device for which it received identification data.

The new identifier address can then be forwarded to the SDN forconfiguration of a forwarding table. Each SDN can be associated with anetwork device or a set of network devices. The SDN can facilitatesession continuity by performing an immediate HO or soft HO between onenetwork device and another network device. During the soft HO, the UEdevice can have multiple IP addresses (locators), which can be sent toCNs.

At element 800, the system can receive broadcasted network address datarepresentative of a mobile device identifier address from a mobiledevice, wherein the mobile device identifier address can comprisenetwork address data related to an internet protocol address of anetwork device. The system of element 800 can receive broadcastednetwork address data related to another internet protocol address ofanother network device at element 802 and can determine a conditionrelated to a handoff of a communication between the network device andthe mobile device at element 804. The system can also terminate thecommunication between the network device and the mobile device inresponse to the condition being determined to have been satisfied atelement 806. Furthermore, the system can facilitate communicationbetween the other network device and the mobile device in response tothe condition being determined to have been satisfied at element 808.

Referring now to FIG. 9, illustrated is a schematic system block diagramfor receiving broadcasted network address data related to networkdevices and initiating a communication with a network device based on acommunication HO condition being satisfied. A UE device can include, butis not limited to, a meter reader, a mobile device, a tablet, etc. UEdevices can also be stationary or mobile and require mobility HO. In acellular network, multiple network devices can exist including, but notlimited to, cellular towers and Wi-Fi access points that can communicatewith the UE device.

Identification data can be sent from the cellular towers and the Wi-Fiaccess point devices to the UE devices. This identification data caninclude various IP prefixes corresponding to each cellular tower andWi-Fi access point device. After the cellular towers or Wi-Fi accesspoint devices have sent their respective identification data to the UEdevice, the UE device can then append its own UE identifier address andcreate one or more new identifier addresses associated with eachcellular tower and/or Wi-Fi access point device for which it receivedidentification data.

The new identifier address can then be forwarded to the SDN forconfiguration of a forwarding table. Each SDN can be associated with anetwork device or a set of network devices. The SDN can facilitatesession continuity by performing an immediate HO or soft HO between onenetwork device and another network device. During the soft HO, the UEdevice can have multiple IP addresses (locators), which can be sent toCNs.

At element 900, the system can receive first broadcasted network addressdata representative of a mobile device identifier address from a mobiledevice, wherein the mobile device identifier address can comprisenetwork address data related to an internet protocol address of anetwork device. The mobile device identifier address can berepresentative of a communication between the mobile device and thenetwork device. At element 902, second broadcasted network address datarelated to another internet protocol address of another network devicewithin a range of the mobile device can be received by the system. Thesystem can also generate a communication handoff condition associatedwith range data representative of a distance between the mobile device,the network device, and the other network device at element 904.Moreover, the system can initiate another communication between theother network device and the mobile device in response to thecommunication handoff condition being determined to have been satisfiedat element 906.

Referring now to FIG. 10, illustrated is a schematic system blockdiagram for receiving broadcasted network address data related tonetwork devices and initiating a communication with a network device andterminating a communication with another network device based on acommunication HO condition being satisfied. A UE device can include, butis not limited to, a meter reader, a mobile device, a tablet, etc. UEdevices can also be stationary or mobile and require mobility HO. In acellular network, multiple network devices can exist including, but notlimited to, cellular towers and Wi-Fi access points that can communicatewith the UE device.

Identification data can be sent from the cellular towers and the accesspoint devices to the UE devices. This identification data can includevarious IP prefixes corresponding to each cellular tower and Wi-Fiaccess point device. After the cellular towers or Wi-Fi access pointdevices have sent their respective identification data to the UE device,the UE device can then append its own UE identifier address and createone or more new identifier addresses associated with each cellular towerand/or Wi-Fi access point for which it received identification data.

The new identifier address can then be forwarded to the SDN forconfiguration of a forwarding table. Each SDN can be associated with anetwork device or a set of network devices. The SDN can facilitatesession continuity by performing an immediate HO or soft HO between onenetwork device and another network device. During the soft HO, the UEdevice can have multiple IP addresses (locators), which can be sent toCNs.

At element 900, the system can receive first broadcasted network addressdata representative of a mobile device identifier address from a mobiledevice, wherein the mobile device identifier address can comprisenetwork address data related to an internet protocol address of anetwork device. The mobile device identifier address can berepresentative of a communication between the mobile device and thenetwork device. At element 902, second broadcasted network address datarelated to another interact protocol address of another network devicewithin a range of the mobile device can be received by the system. Thesystem can also generate a communication handoff condition associatedwith range data representative of a distance between the mobile device,the network device, and the other network device at element 904.Moreover, the system can initiate another communication between theother network device and the mobile device in response to thecommunication handoff condition being determined to have been satisfiedat element 906. Additionally, the communication between the mobiledevice and the network device, in response to the communication handoffcondition being determined to have been satisfied, can be terminated atelement 908.

Referring now to FIG. 11, illustrated is a schematic block diagram of anexemplary end-user device such as a mobile device 1100 capable ofconnecting to a network in accordance with some embodiments describedherein. Although a mobile handset 1100 is illustrated herein, it will beunderstood that other devices can be a mobile device, and that themobile handset 1100 is merely illustrated to provide context for theembodiments of the various embodiments described herein. The followingdiscussion is intended to provide a brief, general description of anexample of a suitable environment 1100 in which the various embodimentscan be implemented. While the description includes a general context ofcomputer-executable instructions embodied on a computer readable storagemedium, those skilled in the art will recognize that the innovation alsocan be implemented in combination with other program modules and/or as acombination of hardware and software.

Generally, applications (e.g., program modules) can include routines,programs, components, data structures, etc., that perform particulartasks or implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the methods described herein canbe practiced with other system configurations, includingsingle-processor or multiprocessor systems, minicomputers, mainframecomputers, as well as personal computers, hand-held computing devices,microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, and the like,each of which can be operatively coupled to one or more associateddevices.

A computing device can typically include a variety of computer-readablemedia. Computer readable media can be any available media that can beaccessed by the computer and includes both volatile and non-volatilemedia, removable and non-removable media. By way of example and notlimitation, computer-readable media can comprise computer storage mediaand communication media. Computer storage media can include volatileand/or non-volatile media, removable and/or non-removable mediaimplemented in any method or technology for storage of information, suchas computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules orother data. Computer storage media can include, but is not limited to,RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD ROM,digital video disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magneticcassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store thedesired information and which can be accessed by the computer.

Communication media typically embodies computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated datasignal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and includesany information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means asignal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed insuch a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example,and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as awired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such asacoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of the anyof the above should also be included within the scope ofcomputer-readable media.

The handset 1100 includes a processor 1102 for controlling andprocessing all onboard operations and functions. A memory 1104interfaces to the processor 1102 for storage of data and one or moreapplications 1106 (e.g., a video player software, user feedbackcomponent software, etc.). Other applications can include voicerecognition of predetermined voice commands that facilitate initiationof the user feedback signals. The applications 1106 can be stored in thememory 1104 and/or in a firmware 1108, and executed by the processor1102 from either or both the memory 1104 or/and the firmware 1108. Thefirmware 1108 can also store startup code for execution in initializingthe handset 1100. A communications component 1110 interfaces to theprocessor 1102 to facilitate wired/wireless communication with externalsystems, e.g., cellular networks, VoIP networks, and so on. Here, thecommunications component 1110 can also include a suitable cellulartransceiver 1111 (e.g., a. GSM transceiver) and/or an unlicensedtransceiver 1113 (e.g., Wi-Fi, WiMax) for corresponding signalcommunications. The handset 1100 can be a device such as a cellulartelephone, a PDA with mobile communications capabilities, andmessaging-centric devices. The communications component 1110 alsofacilitates communications reception from terrestrial radio networks(e.g., broadcast), digital satellite radio networks, and Internet-basedradio services networks.

The handset 1100 includes a display 1112 for displaying text, images,video, telephony functions (e.g., a Caller ID function), setupfunctions, and for user input. For example, the display 1112 can also bereferred to as a “screen” that can accommodate the presentation ofmultimedia content (e.g., music metadata, messages, wallpaper, graphics,etc.). The display 1112 can also display videos and can facilitate thegeneration, editing and sharing of video quotes. A serial I/O interface1114 is provided in communication with the processor 1102 to facilitatewired and/or wireless serial communications (e.g., USB, and/or IEEE1394) through a hardwire connection, and other serial input devices(e.g., a keyboard, keypad, and mouse). This supports updating andtroubleshooting the handset 1100, for example. Audio capabilities areprovided with an audio I/O component 1116, which can include a speakerfor the output of audio signals related to, for example, indication thatthe user pressed the proper key or key combination to initiate the userfeedback signal. The audio I/O component 1116 also facilitates the inputof audio signals through a microphone to record data and/or telephonyvoice data, and for inputting voice signals for telephone conversations.

The handset 1100 can include a slot interface 1118 for accommodating aSIC (Subscriber Identity Component) in the form factor of a cardSubscriber Identity Module (SIM) or universal SIM 1120, and interfacingthe SIM card 1120 with the processor 1102. However, it is to beappreciated that the SIM card 1120 can be manufactured into the handset1100, and updated by downloading data and software.

The handset 1100 can process IP data traffic through the communicationcomponent 1110 to accommodate IP traffic from an IP network such as, forexample, the Internet, a corporate intranet, a home network, a personarea network, etc., through an ISP or broadband cable provider. Thus,VoIP traffic can be utilized by the handset 800 and IP-based multimediacontent can be received in either an encoded or decoded format.

A video processing component 1122 (e.g., a camera) can be provided fordecoding encoded multimedia content. The video processing component 1122can aid in facilitating the generation, editing and sharing of videoquotes. The handset 1100 also includes a power source 1124 in the formof batteries and/or an AC power subsystem, which power source 1124 caninterface to an external power system or charging equipment (not shown)by a power I/O component 1126.

The handset 1100 can also include a video component 1130 for processingvideo content received and, for recording and transmitting videocontent. For example, the video component 1130 can facilitate thegeneration, editing and sharing of video quotes. A location trackingcomponent 1132 facilitates geographically locating the handset 1100. Asdescribed hereinabove, this can occur when the user initiates thefeedback signal automatically or manually. A user input component 1134facilitates the user initiating the quality feedback signal. The userinput component 1134 can also facilitate the generation, editing andsharing of video quotes. The user input component 1134 can include suchconventional input device technologies such as a keypad, keyboard,mouse, stylus pen, and/or touch screen, for example.

Referring again to the applications 1106, a hysteresis component 1136facilitates the analysis and processing of hysteresis data, which isutilized to determine when to associate with the access point. Asoftware trigger component 1138 can be provided that facilitatestriggering of the hysteresis component 1138 when the Wi-Fi transceiver1113 detects the beacon of the access point. A SIP client 1140 enablesthe handset 1100 to support SIP protocols and register the subscriberwith the SIP registrar server. The applications 1106 can also include aclient 1142 that provides at least the capability of discover, play andstore of multimedia content, for example, music.

The handset 1100, as indicated above related to the communicationscomponent 810, includes an indoor network radio transceiver 1113 (e.g.,Wi-Fi transceiver). This function supports the indoor radio link, suchas IEEE 802.11, for the dual-mode GSM handset 1100. The handset 1100 canaccommodate at least satellite radio services through a handset that cancombine wireless voice and digital radio chipsets into a single handhelddevice.

Referring now to FIG. 12, there is illustrated a block diagram of acomputer 1200 operable to execute a system architecture that facilitatesestablishing a transaction between an entity and a third party. Thecomputer 1200 can provide networking and communication capabilitiesbetween a wired or wireless communication network and a server and/orcommunication device. In order to provide additional context for variousaspects thereof, FIG. 12 and the following discussion are intended toprovide a brief, general description of a suitable computing environmentin which the various aspects of the innovation can be implemented tofacilitate the establishment of a transaction between an entity and athird party. While the description above is in the general context ofcomputer-executable instructions that can run on one or more computers,those skilled in the art will recognize that the innovation also can beimplemented in combination with other program modules and/or as acombination of hardware and software.

Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the inventive methods can be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, including single-processor or multiprocessor computersystems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personalcomputers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can beoperatively coupled to one or more associated devices.

The illustrated aspects of the innovation can also be practiced indistributed computing environments where certain tasks are performed byremote processing devices that are linked through a communicationsnetwork. In a distributed computing environment, program modules can belocated in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Computing devices typically include a variety of media, which caninclude computer-readable storage media or communications media, whichtwo terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.

Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and includes both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structureddata, or unstructured data. Computer-readable storage media can include,but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memorytechnology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disk (DVD) or other optical diskstorage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage orother magnetic storage devices, or other tangible and/or non-transitorymedia which can be used to store desired information. Computer-readablestorage media can be accessed by one or more local or remote computingdevices, e.g., via access requests, queries or other data retrievalprotocols, for a variety of operations with respect to the informationstored by the medium.

Communications media can embody computer-readable instructions, datastructures, program modules or other structured or unstructured data ina data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrier wave orother transport mechanism, and includes any information delivery ortransport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signals refers to asignal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed insuch a manner as to encode information in one or more signals. By way ofexample, and not limitation, communication media include wired media,such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless mediasuch as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media.

With reference to FIG. 12, implementing various aspects described hereinwith regards to the end-user device can include a computer 1200, thecomputer 1200 including a processing unit 1204, a system memory 1206 anda system bus 1208. The system bus 1208 couples system componentsincluding, but not limited to, the system memory 1206 to the processingunit 1204. The processing unit 1204 can be any of various commerciallyavailable processors. Dual microprocessors and other multi processorarchitectures can also be employed as the processing unit 1204.

The system bus 1208 can be any of several types of bus structure thatcan further interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memorycontroller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofcommercially available bus architectures. The system memory 1206includes read-only memory (ROM) 1210 and random access memory (RAM)1212. A basic input/output system (BIOS) is stored in a non-volatilememory 1210 such as ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basicroutines that help to transfer information between elements within thecomputer 1200, such as during start-up. The RAM 1212 can also include ahigh-speed RAM such as static RAM for caching data.

The computer 1200 further includes an internal hard disk drive (HDD)1214 (e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal hard disk drive 121.4 can alsobe configured for external use in a suitable chassis (not shown), amagnetic floppy disk drive (FDD) 1216, to read from or write to aremovable diskette 1218) and an optical disk drive 1220, (e.g., readinga CD-ROM disk 1222 or, to read from or write to other high capacityoptical media such as the DVD). The hard disk drive 1214, magnetic diskdrive 1216 and optical disk drive 1211 can be connected to the systembus 1208 by a hard disk drive interface 1224, a magnetic disk driveinterface 1226 and an optical drive interface 1228, respectively. Theinterface 1224 for external drive implementations includes at least oneor both of Universal Serial Bus (USB) and IEEE 1294 interfacetechnologies. Other external drive connection technologies are withincontemplation of the subject innovation.

The drives and their associated computer-readable media providenonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executableinstructions, and so forth. For the computer 1200 the drives and mediaaccommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digital format.Although the description of computer-readable media above refers to aHDD, a removable magnetic diskette, and a removable optical media suchas a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat other types of media which are readable by a computer 1200, such aszip drives, magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, cartridges, and thelike, can also be used in the exemplary operating environment, andfurther, that any such media can contain computer-executableinstructions for performing the methods of the disclosed innovation.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM 1212,including an operating system 1230, one or more application programs1232, other program modules 1234 and program data 1236. All or portionsof the operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also becached in the RAM 1212. It is to be appreciated that the innovation canbe implemented with various commercially available operating systems orcombinations of operating systems.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer 1200 throughone or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 1238 and apointing device, such as a mouse 1240. Other input devices (not shown)may include a microphone, an IR remote control, a joystick, a game pad,a stylus pen, touch screen, or the like. These and other input devicesare often connected to the processing unit 1204 through an input deviceinterface 1242 that is coupled to the system bus 1208, but can beconnected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, an IEEE 2394serial port, a game port, a USB port, an IR interface, etc.

A monitor 1244 or other type of display device is also connected to thesystem bus 1208 through an interface, such as a video adapter 1246. Inaddition to the monitor 1244, a computer 1200 typically includes otherperipheral output devices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.

The computer 1200 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections by wired and/or wireless communications to one or moreremote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 1248. The remotecomputer(s) 1248 can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, apersonal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainmentdevice, a peer device or other common network node, and typicallyincludes many or all of the elements described relative to the computer,although, for purposes of brevity, only a memory/storage device 1250 isillustrated. The logical connections depicted include wired/wirelessconnectivity to a local area network (LAN) 1252 and/or larger networks,e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 1254. Such LAN and WAN networkingenvironments are commonplace in offices and companies, and facilitateenterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all of which mayconnect to a global communications network, e.g., the Internet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 1200 isconnected to the local network 1252 through a wired and/or wirelesscommunication network interface or adapter 1256. The adapter 1256 mayfacilitate wired or wireless communication to the LAN 1252, which mayalso include a wireless access point disposed thereon for communicatingwith the wireless adapter 1256.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 1200 can includea modem 1258, or is connected to a communications server on the WAN1254, or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN1254, such as by way of the Internet. The modem 1258, which can beinternal or external and a wired or wireless device, is connected to thesystem bus 1208 through the serial port interface 1242. In a networkedenvironment, program modules depicted relative to the computer, orportions thereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device1250. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown areexemplary and other means of establishing a communications link betweenthe computers can be used.

The computer is operable to communicate with any wireless devices orentities operatively disposed in wireless communication, e.g., aprinter, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portable dataassistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment or locationassociated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk, news stand,restroom), and telephone. This includes at least Wi-Fi and Bluetooth™wireless technologies. Thus, the communication can be a predefinedstructure as with a conventional network or simply an ad hoccommunication between at least two devices.

Wi-Fi, or Wireless Fidelity, allows connection to the Internet from acouch at home, a bed in a hotel room, or a conference room at work,without wires. Wi-Fi is a wireless technology similar to that used in acell phone that enables such devices, e.g., computers, to send andreceive data indoors and out; anywhere within the range of a basestation. Wi-Fi networks use radio technologies called IEEE 802.11 (a, b,g, etc.) to provide secure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. AWi-Fi network can be used to connect computers to each other, to theInternet, and to wired networks (which use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet).Wi-Fi networks operate in the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands, atan 11 Mbps (802.11a) or 54 Mbps (802.11b) data rate, for example, orwith products that contain both bands (dual band), so the networks canprovide real-world performance similar to the basic 10BaseT wiredEthernet networks used in many offices.

The above description of illustrated embodiments of the subjectdisclosure, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intendedto be exhaustive or to limit the disclosed embodiments to the preciseforms disclosed. While specific embodiments and examples are describedherein for illustrative purposes, various modifications are possiblethat are considered within the scope of such embodiments and examples,as those skilled in the relevant art can recognize.

In this regard, while the subject matter has been described herein inconnection with various embodiments and corresponding FIGs, whereapplicable, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments can beused or modifications and additions can be made to the describedembodiments for performing the same, similar, alternative, or substitutefunction of the disclosed subject matter without deviating therefrom.Therefore, the disclosed subject matter should not be limited to anysingle embodiment described herein, but rather should be construed inbreadth and scope in accordance with the appended claims below.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: determining, by asoftware-defined network device comprising a processor, a first networkdevice other than the software-defined network device; based on a changein speed of a mobile device, updating, by the software-defined networkdevice, a mobility status associated with the mobile device, wherein theupdating comprises updating a first speed of the mobile device inrelation to the first network device and updating a second speed of themobile device in relation to a second network device; and in response tothe updating the mobility status and a condition associated with adistance of the mobile device to the first network device beingsatisfied, prompting, by the software-defined network device, the mobiledevice to communicate with the second network device, and routing, bythe software-defined network device, a communication to the secondnetwork device to send to the mobile device.
 2. The method of claim 1,further comprising: receiving, by the software-defined network device,from the mobile device, broadcasted network address data representativeof an identifier address of the mobile device.
 3. The method of claim 2,wherein the identifier address comprises network address data related toan internet protocol address of the first network device.
 4. The methodof claim 1, further comprising: based on the updating the mobilitystatus, updating, by the software-defined network device, location datarepresentative of a location of the mobile device.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: updating, by the software-defined networkdevice, network address data associated with the second network device.6. The method of claim 5, wherein the updating comprises removingnetwork address data associated with the first network device.
 7. Themethod of claim 5, wherein the updating comprises adding location datarepresentative of a location of the mobile device.
 8. A software-definednetwork device, comprising: a processor; and a memory that storesexecutable instructions that, when executed by the processor, facilitateperformance of operations, comprising: determining a condition relatedto a handoff of a communication between a first network device and amobile device has been satisfied, wherein the condition is related to afirst range of the mobile device in relation to the first network deviceand a second range of the mobile device in relation to a second networkdevice; generating first speed data associated with a first speed of themobile device in relation to the first network device; generating secondspeed data associated with a second speed of the mobile device inrelation to the second network device; and in response to thedetermining the condition has been satisfied and based on the firstspeed data, and the second speed data, terminating the communicationbetween the first network device and the mobile device.
 9. Thesoftware-defined network device of claim 8, wherein the operationsfurther comprise: receiving broadcasted network address datarepresentative of a mobile device identifier address from the mobiledevice.
 10. The software-defined network device of claim 9, wherein themobile device identifier address comprises network address data relatedto a first internet protocol address of the first network device. 11.The software-defined network device of claim 10, wherein the operationsfurther comprise: receiving broadcasted network address data related toa second internet protocol address of the second network device.
 12. Thesoftware-defined network device of claim 11, wherein the operationsfurther comprise: in response to the receiving the broadcasted networkaddress data, updating the network address data related to the secondnetwork device.
 13. The software-defined network device of claim 12,wherein the updating comprises adding the network address data to a datastructure associated with the second network device.
 14. Thesoftware-defined network device of claim 8, wherein the operationsfurther comprise: in response to the determining the condition has beensatisfied, updating mobility status data associated with the secondspeed of the mobile device in relation to the second network device. 15.A non-transitory machine-readable medium, comprising executableinstructions that, when executed by a processor of a software-definednetworking device, facilitate performance of operations, comprising:receiving first speed data associated with a first speed of a mobiledevice in relation to a first network device; receiving second speeddata associated with a second speed, different from the first speed, ofthe mobile device in relation to a second network device; generating acommunication transfer condition associated with range datarepresentative of a distance between the mobile device, the firstnetwork device, and the second network device; and in response to thereceiving the first speed data, the second speed data, and thecommunication transfer condition being determined to have beensatisfied, initiating a first communication between the second networkdevice and the mobile device, and terminating a second communicationbetween the mobile device and the first network device.
 16. Thenon-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein theoperations further comprise: updating mobile device address dataassociated with the first communication between the second networkdevice and the mobile device.
 17. The non-transitory machine-readablemedium of claim 16, wherein the updating comprises updating mobiledevice location data with the range data of the mobile device.
 18. Thenon-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 17, wherein theoperations further comprise: receiving first broadcasted network addressdata representative of a mobile device identifier address from themobile device.
 19. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim15, wherein a mobile device identifier address associated with themobile device comprises network address data related to a first internetprotocol address of the first network device.
 20. The non-transitorymachine-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the operations furthercomprise: in response to the communication transfer condition beingdetermined to have been satisfied, deleting the network address datarelated to the first internet protocol address of the first networkdevice.